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The Times-Advocate, 2002-10-23, Page 22 Exeter Times–Advocate2 Wednesday, October 23, 2002Exeter Times–Advocate Continued from front page Regional wrap up School closure? PARKHILL – North Middlesex District High School is on the Thames Valley District School Board’s list of schools to possibly be closed. The Middlesex Banner reports North Middlesex has 400 students enrolled in the 462- capacity school. Sees Queen TORONTO – Ontario legislative page Matthew Steckley of St. Marys got a close-up view of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip at the Festival of Ontario event in Toronto Oct. 9. The Journal-Argus reports Steckley and his fellow pages presented a mock version of the leg- islature for the Queen during her Golden Jubilee tour. Horses saved CARLISLE – A spark from an acetylene torch ignited straw in the workshop end of a barn on Elginfield Rd. Oct. 11. The Parkhill Gazette reports 11 horses were rescued from the fire fought by Ailsa Craig, Parkhill and Lucan fire departments. Algae bloom BAYFIELD – Boaters docked in Bayfield Harbour say the algae bloom at the mouth of the Bayfield River is the worse they’ve seen in 30 years. According to the Clinton News-Record, low water levels, light levels, water tempera- ture and nutrients (nitro- gen and phosphorous) contribute to algae growth. No,Hansen’s Independent Grocer assistant manager Dave Russell,above right,isn’t about to be a snack for Shayla the Siberian tiger — there’s actually a wall between the two keeping Russell safe.Shayla was in Exeter last week with her owner,master illu- sionist Claude Haggerty, seen left with three- month old tiger cub Apollo.Haggerty and his tigers delighted a crowd at Hansen’s Oct.17 and will perform at South Huron Rec Centre Oct. 27 to raise money for the Dashwood and Area Optimist Club.Shayla, who was born in captivi- ty and lives at Haggerty’s home in Niagara Falls, weighs 440 lbs.She eats 40-50 lbs.of meat every day.Apollo will weigh 800 lbs.when full grown. Tickets are available at Hansen’s or by calling 235-6131,237-3828 or 237-3870. Admission is $15 for adults,$10 for children 12 and under and free for toddlers on your lap.Showtimes Sunday are at 2 p.m.and 7 p.m.(photos/Scott Nixon) Tigers on the prowl in Exeter school councils at each affected facility plus one representa- tive from municipal council, will present reports to the board at special meetings Nov. 25 and 27. Trustees will also receive reports from the principal of each school, based largely on input from school councils. A final list of proposed changes will be presented to trustees at their regular meeting Dec. 10. Following that, there must be a two-month consultation period before final decisions are made. Continued from front page Committees established to study board policy NDP candidate acclaimed STRATFORD – St. Marys retired truck driver and farmer Jack Verhulst was acclaimed as Perth- Middlesex NDP candidate for the next provincial election at the Labour Centre in Stratford Sept. 23. Verhulst spoke on the issues of the environment, hydro privatization, rais- ing minumum wage rates and the need for rent con- trol. Perth-Middlesex MP resigns OTTAWA – Perth-Middlesex MP John Richardson, 69, resigned his House of Commons seat due to an ongoing battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Richardson was first elected in 1993 after military and teaching careers. Prime Minister Jean Chretien praised Richardson’s “thoughtful approach, good humour and gentle man- ner … earning him the respect of all sides of the House.” ft. estimate and said many buildings seem to end up way over their estimated cost. Graham said the architect’s estimate includes all fees and other builders have already told him the project can probably be done at $80/sq. ft. Armstrong was emphatic the committee would not let costs get out of hand. “We are not going for the golden apple on this thing,” he said, adding the building “doesn’t need all the perks.” Once it was established the committee planned to raise $300,000 and already had the $100,000 grant, Morley asked, “Where’s the other $400,000 coming from?” He explained history shows corporations don’t get involved with the construction of municipal build- ings and he’s worried once the municipality com- mits, fund-raising will dry up. Morley said that’s what happened to the new Exeter library. Graham said the day-care centre is a community project beneficial for South Huron’s growth. It will hire 15 employees and make the town more attrac- tive for new businesses and families to move to. He said day care is an important issue. Armstrong added the rent from London Bridge and Early Years will mean income will be generat- ed to pay off any mortgage as soon as the centre opens. Rent will be about $50,000 annually, although about half of that will go to utilities, for which the municipality is on the hook. There are also subsidies available for day care, both for employees’ salaries and for low-income parents using the service. Morley asked Graham if the committee has con- sidered hiring professional fund-raisers. He said a group in Goderich has hired professionals and “have been very successful.” Graham said so far the committee has had no budget and hadn’t been able to consider that option yet. Armstrong said the committee is open to sugges- tions from council. He said their appearance before council “is the first step” and they haven’t approached service clubs, churches or businesses for commitments yet. Deputy Mayor Dave Urlin gave credit to the com- mittee for what it has accomplished so far. Council discussed at length what its contribution to the project should be. A motion by Urlin to sup- port the project in principle and match the funds raised by the committee failed before his motion to match funds to a maximum of $200,000 passed. Coun. Harvey Ratz said he doesn’t want taxpay- er’s money used for the project. “Good luck. You’re well on your way,” Morley said to the committee. Armstrong said fund-raising will start now and will go as long as necessary. He said those interest- ed in making donations to have a day-care centre room named after them can call him at 235-0367. Tenders for construction will go out Jan. 1. Day care for SH POLICE BRIEFS Non- compliant seatbelt users HURON – During a seat- belt campaign Sept. 28 to Oct. 11, Huron OPP offi- cers stopped 6,355 vehi- cles issued 99 tickets to adults for not wearing their seatbelts or for allowing young people not to wear theirs. Another 51 got warnings about non- use of seatbelts. So far this year, 10,017 vehicles were stopped in RIDE Programs in Huron, an increase of 3,662 vehi- cles and the number of violations of non-use of seatbelts was up. At only 50 km/h, an 80 kg (176 lbs) person not wearing a seatbelt will strike the inside of their vehicle with the force of 2,785 kg (6,127 lbs). Imagine the impact when traveling at greater high- way speeds. If that person strikes a child, the crushing blow could cause serious injuries or death. Officers find the worst offenders are teenage men followed closely by senior men dri- ving pickup trucks in rural areas. Those wearing seatbelts reduce their risk of fatal injury by 45 per cent. 75 per cent of people ejected from their vehicle die. It takes a few seconds to buckle up, but it can save your life. And it’s the law. Two public school windows smashed EXETER – On Oct. 14 at 9:45 a.m., a Huron OPP officer working in Exeter found two windows smashed at Exeter Public School on Victoria St. A trampoline which does not belong to the school was found under the win- dows. The broken windows were temporarily repaired. Anyone missing a tram- poline is asked to call Exeter OPP. Oficers would appreciate any help in solving the damage done to the school. Please call the OPP or Crime Stoppers with infor- mation. GRAND BEND – The 1st annual Ontario’s West Coast Riders motorcycle parade Kause for Kids will be held Nov. 3 at the Clubhouse south of Grand Bend. New stuffed toys will be collected for local charities. Motorcycles and pas- sengers will register at 11 a.m and the parade starts at 1 p.m across from Denny’s Drive-in on Hwy. 21 south. The first 100 riders get a T-shirt. Door and best decorated motorcycle prizes will be awarded. The day wraps up with chili and a party with music by Rick Powell and Miz Vicki. Motorcycle parade for kids kause